Diabetic Retinopathy: Controlling Your Risk Factors

You may have or be at risk of diabetic retinopathy. This condition occurs when diabetes damages blood vessels in the rear of the eye. You can help reduce your risk of vision loss from the condition by taking care of your health. This means managing your diabetes and other health problems that can make diabetic retinopathy worse.

Manage Your Diabetes

A diabetes educator can help you make an action plan to control your risk factors.

The best way to protect your vision is to keep your blood sugar level in a healthy range. Check your blood sugar often. Follow your diabetes management plan. And work with your regular healthcare provider or endocrinologist (diabetes doctor) if you are having trouble keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range.

Control Your Risk Factors

Other factors that damage blood vessels can make diabetic retinopathy worse. These include:

• High blood pressure

• Smoking

• High cholesterol

Work with your healthcare team to control these problems and help lower your risk. A diabetes educator can help you control blood pressure and high cholesterol. He or she can also recommend stop-smoking programs.

To Learn More

The resources below can tell you more about controlling your risk factors for diabetic retinopathy.

• American Diabetes Association 800-342-2383 www.diabetes.org

• Lighthouse International 800-829-0500 www.visionconnection.org

• National Eye Institute 301-496-5248 www.nei.nih.gov